Car-coupling.



.G. H. PUTNAM. CAR COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED APR.22. 1913.

1,155,683. Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

5505:5155 PUT/144M Q% GEORGE H. PUTNAIVI, OF SOUTH BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAR-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1915.

Application filed April 22, 1913. Serial No. 762,309.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE II. PUTNAM, of South Boston, in the countyof Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for coupling cars and has, for its underlying principles, automatic action and interchangeability of parts.

In the ordinary styles of coupling devices now in use, there is more or less danger of accidents by reason of the fact that pins or bars must be inserted by hand'at the moment the cars come together.

My coupling mechanism comprises what I call a male and a female component which will automatically enter into locking engagement with each other when they are placed in alinement and the cars are brought together. "When holding these parts in alinement, the operators hands and body are so positioned that it is impossible for him to get squeezed or jammed. In my preferred form, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I provide two female members which are exact duplicates of each other, and one male member, although but one of each may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention, as will be later described. By using the three parts above mentioned, a car equipped with my device may be shackled with any other which is provided with the ordinary draw-bar, by removing the desired parts from the end not in use and transferring them to the second car. This feature will be more fully explained later.

In the drawings, which form part of this specification,Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of my complete device in use on two ordinary draw-bars. Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1, with the parts locked. Fig. 3 is a similar section, unlocked. Fig. 4 is a' plan View, partly in section, of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail showing the adaptation of my coupler for use with an ordinary draw-bar.

My, so-called, female members are marked 1 and are shown mounted on the usual drawbars 2 and held in place by pins 3. The forward ends of members 1 are recessed at 4 to receive the male member 5. Member 5 l is double-ended and is provided with an annular groove 6 near each end which is adapted for engagement with a locking-plate 7, pivotally mounted on member 1 at 8, and held in locking position by the spring 9, the latter being secured at one end to the member 1, and having a free end adapted to engage a boss or surface 10 formed within the opening in memberl through which lockingplate 7 is designed to play. Both ends of member 5 are tapered, as shown at 11, so they will engage the locking-plates 7 upon entering the chambers 41:, and automatically raise them until grooves 6 are in register therewith, when springs 9, aided by gravity, will insure engagement of grooves 6 by locking-plates 7. To unlock or uncouple the cars, a ring 12, attached to the free, projecting end of locking-plate 7, is lifted, as in Fig. 3, against the action of spring 9, to bring the plate 7 out of engagement with the groove 6, whereupon the cars are free to draw apart.

From the foregoing, it will be noticed that but one locking-plate 7 is operated for uncoupling, and consequently, but one fe male member is essential, as the member 5 could be formed integral with the opposite draw-bar 2.

I preferto use two members 1 for the convenience of shackling cars which are equipped only with the ordinary draw-bars 2. In this case, one will be placed on each adjacent draw-bar, the member 5 will be inserted and locked in one of them, and as the cars are brought together, the opposite member 1 is held in alinement with the member 5, which will automatically raise locking-plate 7 by reason of the beveled end 11, and when it has entered opening 4: sufliciently to permit engagement of plate 7 with groove 6, this engagement will automatically take place.

In uncoupling, either locking-plate 7 may be released and the operators hand need never occupy a dangerous position.

I do not limit myself to the specific form illustrated.

What I claim is 1. A car-coupler comprising a recessed member and a lock-pin adapted to enter into, substantially, rigid locking engagement with each other; in combination with a latch, pivotally mounted at the top of said member, and housed entirely within the same, a free end on said latch adapted for projection through an opening in the side of said member, said latch being so designed as to automatically engage and lock said pin, and an opening through the side of said member adapted for the projection therethrough of said free end, said opening being designed to limit the pivotal action of said latch.

2. A car-coupler comprising a recessed member adapted to be rigidly mounted on the draw-bar of a car, and a lock-pin adapted to be rigidly connected to the draw-bar of an adjacent car to be shackled; in combination with a rounded boss formed integral with said member, alatch formed with a curved hook at one end, said hook being designed to form a pivotal connection with said boss, means whereby the middle portion of said latch may automatically engage and locksaid pin, means whereby said pin may enter into rigid locking engagement with said member, and means, attached to the free end of said latch, for releasing its engagement with said pin.

3. A car-coupler comprising a recessed member and a lock-pin adapted to enter into engagement with each other; in combination suchengagement, and means, attached to g the free end of said latch, for releasing said lock.

4. A car-coupler comprising a recessed member and a lock-pin adapted to enter into, substantially, rigid engagement with each other; in combination with a'rounded boss formed integral with said member, a latch, housed within said member, and adapted to automatically lock said pin in such rigid engagement, and a curved hook, on said latch, with said boss. 1

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. PUTNAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 11G.

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